The Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association (North East) representing 75 contracting firms in the region welcomes the Government’s roads announcement that promises improvements in the North East for the vital A1 and the A19.

But it would like more detail of target dates for when starts will be made, particularly on the A1 between Morpeth and Ellingham.

Regional director Douglas Kell said: “It’s excellent news altogether that out of a total spend promised of £15bn some £2.3bn is pledged to 18 schemes in the North East and Yorkshire. Unfortunately, we shall have to wait for the small print to find out the when and how of the projects.

“It is also unclear whether this is totally new money, or whether it includes money previously promised for some of these schemes that are already under way. All the improvements detailed for the North East are much needed.

“One instinctively questions speed of intent considering it is more than four decades since dualling of the A1 right through Northumberland was first raised in the Commons. There will still be 25 miles yet to be dualled on this key link between England and Scotland and some of the worst bottlenecks are on those 25 miles where lesser improvements are now promised.

“But if what is promised for our region goes ahead soon it will be brilliant not only for our industry but also for our region’s economy.”